Excavator attachments extend the capabilities of a hydraulic excavator into a precise tool carrier for demolition, deconstruction, rock processing, and material-efficient cutting. They enable powerful gripping, splitting, cutting, and crushing of concrete, steel, and natural stone. In typical projects – from concrete demolition and special deconstruction through strip-out and cutting to rock demolition and tunneling as well as natural stone extraction – different tools are used, such as concrete pulverizers, combination shears, Multi Cutters, steel shears, tank cutters, or rock and concrete splitters. Darda GmbH develops and manufactures solutions for these fields of application, characterized by controlled force transmission and material-friendly operation.
Definition: What is meant by excavator attachment
An excavator attachment is an interchangeable, mostly hydraulically powered tool mounted to the stick or the boom of an excavator. It uses the hydraulic power of the carrier (flow and pressure) to perform mechanical work: splitting (rock and concrete splitters, rock splitting cylinders), crushing and cutting (concrete pulverizers, combination shears, Multi Cutters, steel shears, tank cutters). Characteristic features include adapter plates, quick couplers, 360° rotators, and robust cylinders. Selection is based on the material, member thickness, degree of reinforcement, the required cutting or splitting force, and the site constraints (space, emissions, vibrations).
Design, hydraulics, and power supply
Hydraulic attachments consist of a load-bearing housing, one or more hydraulic cylinders, movable jaw elements (jaws/shears, blades, splitting wedges), and an adapter interface. Energy is usually provided by the excavator hydraulics; for special applications, supplementary hydraulic power packs are used, for example when an external oil supply for a separate circuit is expedient. Decisive parameters are the required flow rate, permissible operating pressure, return routing (free-flow vs. pressurized), and matching to the rotation unit (if present). Proper sizing prevents power losses, overheating, and unnecessary wear.
Fields of application: From selective deconstruction to natural stone extraction
The spectrum ranges from inner-city sites with strict emission requirements to massive structural elements and hard rock in tunnel advance.
Concrete demolition and special deconstruction
Concrete pulverizers open and close in a controlled manner, crush concrete, and separate reinforcing steel. Thanks to point-precise force, they are suitable for removing structural sections, exposing beams, and preparing recyclable fractions. Combination shears combine crushing and cutting functions; Multi Cutters cover variable materials.
Strip-out and cutting
In strip-out the focus is on selective deconstruction with low noise emission. Steel shears cut profiles, reinforcement, and pipes, while tank cutters handle special cutting tasks on vessels and large tanks, in compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.
Rock demolition and tunneling
Rock and concrete splitters as well as rock splitting cylinders induce controlled crack formation in rock. In tunneling and special operations, low vibration and noise levels are advantageous, for example in sensitive areas with existing buildings.
Natural stone extraction
In quarrying, splitting natural stone enables material-friendly, contour-accurate release of blocks. This reduces blasting vibrations and facilitates downstream processing steps.
Concrete pulverizers in focus: operating principle and typical applications
Concrete pulverizers apply high pressing forces to components, generating compressive and shear stresses and breaking them down into manageable pieces. Typical applications include wall panels, slab fields, foundations, and columns. Targeted jaw geometry allows reinforcement to be exposed so it can be further reduced with steel shears. In noise-sensitive zones, concrete pulverizers are an alternative to percussive methods.
Rock and concrete splitters: Controlled separation instead of impact energy
In hydraulic splitting, wedges or cylinders are inserted into boreholes and the material is opened along its weak zones. Advantages include low vibration, reproducible results, and good control of crack propagation. In massive members, heavily reinforced concrete, or dense rock, rock splitting cylinders are a reliable method for pre-splitting, even in areas with limited access.
Selection criteria for the right attachment
Correct sizing underpins performance, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Key criteria:
- Carrier machine: operating weight, boom geometry, hydraulic performance (flow rate/pressure)
- Material: concrete strength, member thickness, degree of reinforcement, rock class
- Tool parameters: jaw opening, cutting or splitting force, cycle time, rotational capability
- Work environment: noise and vibration limits, dust management, access
- Process chain: pre-crushing with concrete pulverizers, splitting with splitting cylinders, sorting and metal separation
Mounting, quick couplers, and setup times
Adapter plates and quick couplers reduce setup times and increase operational flexibility. 360° rotators improve tool alignment, especially in selective deconstruction. Proper installation with the correct tightening torque, hose routing, and case-drain return is a prerequisite for trouble-free operation.
Hydraulic power packs in combination with attachments
In special cases, an external oil supply is useful, for example for parallel operation of multiple consumers or when the carrier does not provide a suitable auxiliary flow. Hydraulic power packs deliver stable pressure and flow, facilitate testing and adjustments, and can broaden the range of applications, for instance in stationary splitting with rock and concrete splitters.
Process chain: Selective deconstruction and recycling
Efficient project workflows combine tools: concrete pulverizers for pre-sizing and exposing, steel shears for cutting reinforcement, Multi Cutters for mixed materials, and—if required—tank cutters for vessels. The result is single-grade fractions and optimized logistics for reuse. The controlled working method helps minimize damage to adjacent components.
Occupational safety, emissions, and legal aspects
Safe procedures take priority. Observe load-bearing setup areas, load cases on the boom, exclusion zones, protection against falling objects, and suitable PPE. Noise and vibration management is—particularly in urban environments—a key element of planning. Legal frameworks, standards, and regulatory requirements must be reviewed for the specific project; this overview does not replace binding legal advice.
Operation, maintenance, and service life
Regular visual inspections, lubrication of rotation units and pins, checking blades, splitting wedges, and wear plates, as well as hydraulic tightness, are essential. Hydraulic oil quality, filtration, and correct hose routing extend service life. For concrete pulverizers: re-adjust or index the cutting edges in good time to ensure clean cuts and consistent forces. For rock and concrete splitters: cleaned boreholes and correct wedge clearance ensure reproducible splitting performance.
Tank cutters and steel shears: Special tasks
When cutting tanks, lines, and sections, spark ejection, material thicknesses, and possible residual media are paramount. Appropriate, site-specific safety measures must be taken into account. Steel shears complement the process chain in metal deconstruction; their performance is determined by cutting force, blade quality, and the stability of the frame design.
Project planning and deployment optimization
Solid planning starts with component analysis, defining the sequence (split first or crush first), selecting the attachments, and coordinating with logistics and disposal. Where vibrations and noise are strictly limited, rock and concrete splitters as well as concrete pulverizers offer a controlled approach with high precision. Thought-out setup concepts and the use of quick couplers increase the net working time on site.